SATURDAY’S CIF-SS GIRLS WATER POLO FINALS

All games at William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center, Irvine

DIVISION 4

LA SERNA OF WHITTIER (21-10) VS. TROY (24-8 ), 1:30 p.m.

Outlook: The Warriors have reached the finals for the first time but have plenty of CIF championship experience on their coaching staff. Coach Jason Wilson guided Sonora to a CIF Division 6 title in 2008 while assistant Jim Crowther guided La Habra to a pair of CIF runner-up finishes (2008 to Wilson, 2009). Both are former Register coaches of the year.

Troy and La Serna split two games in early December.

Second-seeded Troy opened its season by edging host La Serna, 15-14, in sudden-death overtime on a goal by junior Shannon Grossman, who emerged as the Warriors’ second-leading scorer this season. Three days later, La Serna beat Troy, 7-6, in the second round of the Villa Park Classic at El Toro. Troy’s leading scorer, Alison Lany (79 goals and pictured above),  scored a combined nine goals in the two games against La Serna while goalie Jessica Harris averaged 10 saves.

Both teams are coming off big rallies in the semifinals. Freeway League champion Troy trailed Los Altos by four at halftime but rallied on the road for a 7-6 victory on a late goal by Grace Schade.

Fourth-seeded La Serna upset top-seeded Bonita, 10-9, after trailing, 3-0, and, 7-5, going into the fourth. Senior senior Gabby Pierandozzi scored four times in the fourth period for La Serna, which is also making its first appearance in a section big splash.

La Serna also edged Sunny Hills, 8-7, in the quarterfinals.

“Troy has been playing very well at the end of the season,” Sunny Hills coach Keith Nighswonger said in a text message of the match-up. “La Serna girls have a lot championship club experience. Should be a great game.”

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